Oil slips ahead of Fed policy decision

PABLO GORONDI, Associated Press

The price of oil slipped 1 percent Tuesday as investors prepared for an expected reduction in the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus.

Meanwhile, pump prices are now down 8 cents in September after the nationwide average for gasoline fell to $3.51 a gallon.

Benchmark oil for October delivery fell $1.17, or 1.1 percent, to close at $105.42 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil fell $1.62 on Monday.

The central bank has been buying financial assets, such as bonds, in an attempt to push down interest rates and make loans more easily available. Global stocks and commodities surged as the new money generated by the program — currently running at $85 billion a month — flowed through the financial system.

But recent data have shown the U.S. economy is in better shape, which may convince Fed members that it is time to wind down the stimulus — so-called tapering — at the end of a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday.

Developments in Syria and Libya also put downward pressure on oil prices. Negotiations between Russia and the U.S. on Syria's chemical weapons have removed the threat of an imminent U.S. military strike. And reports have signaled the return of more Libyan crude oil to the market, after a slowdown in production and exports.

Investors will also be monitoring fresh information on U.S. stockpiles of crude and refined products.

Energy Department data for the week ending Sept. 6 are expected to show a decline of 1.5 million barrels in crude oil stocks, while gasoline stocks are expected to remain unchanged, according to a survey of analysts by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.

For drivers, the cost of a gallon of gas Is close to falling below $3.50, on average, for the first time since July. The price fell 1 penny overnight to $3.51.

AAA said that Tuesday was the 1,000th straight day that gasoline has averaged more than $3 a gallon.

"Paying less than $3 per gallon for gasoline may be automotive history for most Americans, like using 8-track tapes or going to a drive-in movie," said Bob Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA in a statement.

The contract for November delivery for Brent crude, the benchmark for international crudes used by many U.S. refineries, dropped $1.88 to $108.19 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

In other energy futures trading in New York:

— Wholesale gasoline fell 6 cents to $2.66 per gallon.

— Natural gas rose 1 cent to $3.75 per 1,000 cubic feet.

— Heating oil declined 7 cents to $3.00 per gallon.

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